Annual Jobless Rates Down in 105 Counties

Annual unemployment rates were lower in 105 Kentucky counties in 2011 than in 2010, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training in the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. In addition, 14 Kentucky counties had a higher annual unemployment in 2011 than in 2010 while the unemployment rate in Laurel County remained the same for both years, according to a press release issued by the state.

In 2011, 63 Kentucky counties had an annual jobless rate at or above 10 percent compared to 86 counties that recorded double-digit rates in 2010.

The annual jobless rate for Woodford County was the lowest in the state in 2011 at 7.3 percent. The other counties with the 10 lowest unemployment rates were Fayette County, 7.4 percent; Oldham County, 7.6 percent; Madison County, 7.7 percent; Calloway, Hopkins and Ohio counties, 8.0 percent each; followed by Boone, Franklin, Union and Webster counties, 8.1 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest annual unemployment rate in 2011 — 16.6 percent. It was followed by Jackson County, 16.2 percent; Menifee County, 15.2 percent; Fulton and McCreary counties, 14.6 percent each; Lewis County, 13.8 percent; Clay County, 13.7 percent; Wayne and Wolfe counties, 13.6 percent each; and Bell County, 13.2 percent.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.